Hi all i'm new to your site i'm doing some research on a Sand Barge called the Wide Awake seams she was built by Robert Napier in 1850 at Govan she is a 66ft Puffer i think, the story is she was built on the Clyde and ended up on Lough Erne N.Ireland my grand father worked on her in the 1930 up until the war, she now lies sunk in a small lake not far from me, i think this is the same boat built on the Clyde if any one has any information i will be very thankful i have a small photo of her but cant up load it thanks John

Hi there John. Your basic details are mostly correct. She would appear to have been used as a lighter on the Thames but from my own research into puffers and the like I have never before come across any reference to her as having worked the Clyde as a powered vessel. Neither does a search of the Merchant Navy Lists, which include all powered and sailing vessels over the period 1850 to 1930, show up any of this name that could be a match.

Thanks for your reply i cant find out much about her at all only that small piece you re-fair to, even searching the Thames resister didn't bring up anything, i am thinking she came to Ireland on her own bottom via the Shannon and Royal canal, she still has her steam engine and winch in place hope to get a better look come summer and low water thanks John

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